GRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF DIVINITY
Students with an undergraduate degree can enroll for the Graduate Certificate in Divinity. This award requires six months of full-time study or the equivalent part-time.
The Graduate Certificate is intended to be a general purpose award to provide students who are already graduates with an opportunity to undertake study at an advanced level of selected units in the teaching departments of Bible and Languages, Christian Thought and History and Ministry and Practice. It will serve either as an introduction to the study of Theology and Ministry by allowing students to sample units from a range of disciplines or as a means of developing a subject specialism by allowing students to select units from one or two disciplines.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Discipline Knowledge and Understanding
1. Demonstrate up-to-date advanced knowledge and understanding of selected fields of ‘Divinity’
2. Examine the biblical, theological and ministry foundations of Divinity
Inquiry and Analysis
3. Collect, analyse, evaluate and synthesize advanced Divinity scholarship in inquiry-based learning
Problem Solving and Integration
4. Construct evidence-based perspectives on advanced Divinity issues by using recognized source materials and scholarly literature, evaluating alternative explanations and drawing reasoned conclusions
Communication
5. Present advanced Divinity ideas, knowledge and principles to, and engage with, specialist and non-specialist audiences using a variety of formats
Teamwork and Professional Practice
6. As leader and in groups, apply advanced understanding of Divinity in formal ministry contexts and the wider community
Engagement With the World
7. Bring developing professional and vocational capacity to engagement with the challenges of contemporary Christianity, society and the wider world
Continuous Learning and Professional Development
8. Demonstrate a capacity for independent reflection and learning to sustain personal and professional development in Christian ministry
COURSE CONTENT
The Graduate Certificate consists of 4 units (48 cps) from any field.
Students should discuss their desired program and unit selection with the registrar before enrolling in a course.
Regulations:
- Advanced level units may be taken only when the pre-requisite units have been completed or co-requisite units are taken concurrently
The Graduate Certificate of Divinity is a course of the Australian College of Theology
STUDY OPTIONS
RTC has some great flexible study options to suit all students wanting to commence study in Semester 1, 2025. From on campus in the Melbourne CBD to the comfort of your own home via distance and online subjects.
Check out the various study options available at the RTC in Semester 1, 2025, starting Monday, 17th February.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Academic Qualifications:
- Completed 3 year bachelor degree or equivalent
- Alternative admission to the Graduate Certificate of Divinity or the Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health on individual application to the ACT Registrar including 5 years’ ministry or relevant industry experience (paid or unpaid); and written support of a referee who holds a relevant Masters degree from the ACT or equivalent; and successful completion of a previous qualification at AQF Level 5 or above; and being at least 25 years of age. Requirements for demonstration of academic suitability is determined at the discretion of the ACT Registrar, who will only admit applicants on a case by case basis who in the ACT Registrar’s belief are likely to be successful in Level 8 units. The principles considered in assessing an application under this clause include:
- accommodating student diversity by including the under-representation and/or disadvantage experienced by identified groups and creating equivalent opportunities for academic success regardless of students’ backgrounds; and
- specific consideration for the recruitment, admission, participation and completion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
- ensuring that admitted students have the academic preparation needed to participate in their intended study, and no known limitations that would be expected to impede their progression and completion.
On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Divinity or the Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health under this admission pathway, students can articulate to other postgraduate courses which normally would have required the completion of a bachelor degree for admission.
Language requirements: IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing, and 6.5 in listening and speaking OR 10 years in Australia with English being the language primarily spoken both at home and work. See English Language Proficiency Policy.
FEES
Domestic Students: $12,648 per semester for full-time (48cp) (2025 course fees and credit points).
International Students: $14,568 AUD per semester. If you require accommodation at Barkley Hall, you will require a further $7,000 AUD per semester. The RTC is presently unable to offer scholarships or financial assistance to overseas students. Find out more about fees and applications for oversees students here.
RTC is an Affiliated College of the Australian College of Theology. The tuition fees are set by ACT on an annual basis. Tuition fees are outlined below. FEE-HELP loans are available to eligible students to fund the tuition fees for all accredited courses.
FEE-HELP loans are not available for the Certificate in Theology, the Academic Studies in Theology Certificate or units studied under Single Unit Study mode.
The 2025 Fee Schedule is available for download here.
ENROLLMENTS
Australian & New Zealand Students
Enrolling at RTC is easy. Prospective students will need to complete an Application Form. This can be done online by clicking the link below, or by completing a printable form and either submitting it electronically or by post.
Once you have submitted your application form you will receive an immediate confirmation of receipt of the form. It will then take approximately 48 hours to process your application.
As well as submitting an application form, prospective students should make an appointment to meet with the registrar (Paul Lucas) to discuss their proposed course. Paul can be contacted on (03) 5244 8600.
The RTC has two academic semesters per year; the first runs from February to June, and the second from July to November. Applicants will need to enrol at the beginning of each semester and once successful will need to make arrangements for paying the prescribed fees.
The application form can be submitted online.
A printable application form (see below) may also be completed and submitted electronically or at the RTC. For more information regarding digital signatures, see here.
International Students
The Reformed Theological College (RTC) welcomes applications from overseas students. Along with the general admission procedures that apply to Australian students, there are certain requirements that overseas students must meet before being accepted for study. You will need to:
- show evidence of educational qualifications or work experience and means of financial support
- provide two recommendations from your home country (one of these should have had experience of your involvement in the life and ministry of a church), and
- demonstrate a proficiency in written and spoken English*
The Reformed Theological College is approved to deliver the following courses of the Australian College of Theology (CRICOS 02650E), which is the official “Higher Education Provider” for overseas students at the Reformed Theological College:
- Diploma of Theology (CRICOS 054649A)
- Diploma of Ministry (CRICOS 054659K)
- Diploma of Theology/Ministry (CRICOS 086267F)
- Bachelor of Theology (CRICOS 054676J)
- Bachelor of Ministry (CRICOS 054670D)
- Bachelor of Theology/Ministry (CRICOS 086274G)
- Graduate Certificate of Divinity (CRICOS 076017G)
- Graduate Diploma of Divinity (CRICOS 054685G)
- Master of Divinity (CRICOS 054688E)
More information concerning the process for enrolment may be found at the Australian College of Theology’s Overseas Student page.
Please consult the Australian Government Immigration website for additional Visa and immigration information; note especially the regulations concerning Student Visas. To study at RTC, you will need a Student Visa Subclass 500. You are unable to apply for this Visa until we have accepted you as a student and supplied you with an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).
Please note that the Visa approval process is controlled by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, not the RTC. If you are a citizen of New Zealand, you will not require a Student Visa to study in Australia, and technically you would not be an Overseas Student.
Overseas students may access student support services that are broadly available to all RTC students.
Please also know that the RTC may not admit an overseas student in the first six months of a registered course from another provider, except where expressly permitted. For more information, please review the Australian College of Theology’s Overseas Students Release and Transfer Policy.
APPLY NOW:
Prospective students will need to complete an Application Form. Australian and New Zealand students can apply online. RTC also welcomes applications from overseas students. Please review admission requirements and other information in the Australian University of Theology’s Coursework Course Enrolment Policy.
